Construction is about to start for the Connective Corridor passing under Route 81 into downtown and we’re ready to launch into the next phase with a “Zip Fest” Street Fair featuring downtown’s first mobile Zip-line, along with a Food Truck Rodeo in partnership with 40Below, and live entertainment and performances in Forman Park.

Produced by the Connective Corridor in collaboration with campus and community partners, the “Zip Fest” Street Fair and Food Truck Rodeo are scheduled for Sunday, November 3 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  as part of SU’s Family Weekend.  The joint event is open to SU students, faculty and staff, alumni and their families, as well as the CNY community. 

The events will be held in Forman Park and along a portion of East Genesee Street from Almond to Forman Ave. which will be closed during the event to accommodate the free 200 ft. Zip-line.  Free Connective Corridor bus service will be available to the event, with close stops nearby at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Syracuse Stage.

The mobile Zip-line will be free to riders on a first-come basis, supporting Corridor goals to “connect and activate” a vibrant street scene and public spaces for community members and visitors to enjoy the urban experience.

The Food Truck Rodeo will showcase local cuisine, building on the growing popularity of Syracuse’s burgeoning food truck scene.  It is being organized in partnership with 40 Below Syracuse and Save the Rain.  A number of unique mobile eateries have already signed up, with an open round-up call out to vendors to “circle their wagons” round the park.

 “Zip Fest is a fun way to celebrate the completion of phase one and literally launch into the next stage,” said Linda Hartsock who directs the Corridor initiative for SU’s Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development.  “It also engages our neighbors and enhances campus, community, student and alumni connections.  We wanted to do something very innovative and fun to launch the next phase of the project – and this is festive and visual way to do that.” 

Phase two/three construction is scheduled to start Monday, November 4 – the day after “Zip Fest.”  Corridor construction will “zip under” Route 81, connecting the streetscape, green bike lanes and cultural district from University Hill to downtown Syracuse, across the central business district to the Warehouse.  Construction of the next phases is scheduled to be complete by year-end 2015.  The first phase, along University Avenue and East Genesee Street up to Forman Park, was completed this summer.

While construction is expected to last 24 months, the mobile zip line is only here for one day, so there’s good reason to zip over for a memorable experience incorporating some extreme action, thrills and a little adrenaline – eye to eye with Route 81.  Zip-line rides will be free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  and there is no fee to attend the event.  Food trucks will be selling food as part of the Food Truck Festival Rodeo.

 “40 Below is pleased to partner with the Connective Corridor and Syracuse University to produce the Food Truck Festival,” said Ben Sio who directs 40Below as part of his role with CenterState CEO.  “Our community has such interesting cuisine and we are excited to feature the emerging food truck scene during this event.  By locating this event along the Connective Corridor we’re looking to support and celebrate the next phase of construction for this unique urban revitalization project.”

 “The Syracuse University Department of Recreation Services is happy to partner with the Connective Corridor and the other partners involved in this exciting event,” said Scott Catucci, Associate Director, Syracuse University Outdoor Education in the Department of Recreation.  “This is a great opportunity to bring our community together and celebrate the connections that exist between Syracuse University and the City of Syracuse. The partnerships are a great example of how together we can highlight all that Syracuse has to offer and engage each other in fun and creative ways.  Zipping alongside Forman Park will certainly be an exciting way to see what Syracuse has to offer.”

Sustainability is a theme of the event, along with local cuisine and culture.  Save the Rain will be on hand with info highlighting green infrastructure as integral to urban redesign projects along the Corridor.  For example, Forman Park’s green infrastructure elements included more than 4,000 shrubs and perennials which capture about 121,000 gallons of storm water each year.  Connective Corridor combined green infrastructure projects will harvest and manage 5.9 million gallons of stormwater each year.  The Corridor’s green infrastructure is funded through Onondaga County / Save the Rain.  

Syracuse University, the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County were recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with its Global Leadership Award at its 2012 international Greenbuild Conference, honoring collaborative projects such as the Connective Corridor as a model for integrated planning around sustainability, urban design and green building. 

Forman Park’s oval design lends itself to “circling the food truck rodeo wagons.”  It was renovated by the Connective Corridor to expand public use.  Forman Park is one of the oldest parks in the city, dating back to 1839, and named in honor of the founder of Syracuse.  It features a gracious historic reproduction fountain, large grassy areas, and plantings designed by local landscape architects with guidance from the renowned Olin group.  It features a modern sculpture titled, “Swoosh,” which seems appropriate for an event featuring a mobile zip line that will “swoosh” participants along the Corridor – and launch the next exciting phase of construction.

Student groups interested in performing as part of “Zip Fest” should contact the SU Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development, corridor@syr.edu

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About 40 Below

40 Below is an organization of young professionals and community members who serve Central Upstate New York. Consisting of 2,500+ members, 40 Below works to connect, empower, and engage young adults by acting as a vehicle to pursue passions, make changes, instill a sense of pride in the community, and to promote the region as a vibrant place to live, work, learn and play.

 

About the Connective Corridor

The Connective Corridor is a collaboration between Syracuse University, the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County focused on sustainability, smart growth and creative place-making.  The Corridor is creating new urban spaces and complete streetscapes with networks of green infrastructure, bike and pedestrian paths, and a free public transportation system, as well as public art. It also catalyzes initiatives around art, culture, technology and civic entrepreneurship through a model that reinforces the university’s core mission of teaching and research.